Docking systems for medical devices and related devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to docking systems for poles or other devices that can hold medical and/or accessory equipment, typically in a clinical or hospital environment, and can include associated docking systems for various devices such as beds, wheelchairs, walkers, wagons, and the like.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/130,005 filed Apr. 15, 2016 entitled DOCKINGSYSTEMS FOR MEDICAL DEVICES AND RELATED DEVICES, which in turn claimsthe benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/148,398 filed Apr. 16, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/207,106 filed Aug. 19, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/210,724 filed Aug. 27, 2015, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.

BACKGROUND

Hospitals and other clinical environments employ accessories used forpatients that are oftentimes desired to be moved with a patient. Thereis a need for docking systems that facilitate one or more of mobility,user access and/or ease of use.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to docking systems for devices thathold accessories, typically in a clinical or hospital environment, forattaching to various devices such as beds, wheelchairs, walkers, wagons,and the like.

The poles can have a plurality of legs which hold wheels, typicallycasters.

The poles can have wheels that can be small wheels, larger wheelscombinations of smaller and larger wheels with or without casters.

In some embodiments, the legs are not retractable but the mast may beextendable/retractable.

In some embodiments, the accessories have docking systems that dock apole which can be a retractable or a non-retractable pole. Thenon-retractable pole can have a static floor supported baseconfiguration (although it may have an adjustable height).

In some embodiments, the legs can be moved between an extendedconfiguration where the wheels contact a floor and a retractedconfiguration where the legs are drawn inward and the wheels are liftedto reside off the floor.

The poles can be configured for various purposes and/or provided ascomponents of various devices. The poles can be an IV pole, an oxygentank pole, a tray table pole, a monitor support pole, a pole attachableto a pediatric wagon, wheelchair or hospital bed or hospital beds with apole docking system and/or any combination of the different uses and maybe used for other hospital or care-based medical accessories.

Some embodiments are directed to a wheelchair docking system thatincludes a docking interface attached to a wheelchair for detachablycoupling at least one accessory device. The docking interface includes:a base attached to the wheelchair and extending laterally between theright and left side wheels; an upwardly extending support memberattached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; and a pivotingsupplemental handle member attached to the upwardly extending supportmember. The supplemental handle member has a pair of arms spaced apartacross a gap space and the supplemental handle member has a firstretracted position where the arms are in a vertical or substantiallyvertical orientation and a second extended position where the armsextend rearward of the back of the wheelchair in a horizontal orsubstantially horizontal orientation.

The arms of the supplemental handle member can have a length between 6inches and 36 inches, and the length may optionally be between about 12inches and 24 inches.

The docking system of the wheelchair can further include a pivotingattachment member held by the upwardly extending support member belowthe supplemental handle attachment. The pivoting attachment member caninclude left and right side outwardly extending arms with a respectivecurved upper surface sized and configured to detachable couple with arespective horizontally extending tubular segment of a respectiveaccessory device.

The system can include a mast attachment member attached to the upwardlyextending support member and residing above the supplemental handleattachment. The mast attachment member can be sized and configured toreceive a vertically extending tubular segment of a respective accessorydevice.

The arms of the pivoting supplemental handle member can be laterallyseparated by a distance between 18 inches and 32 inches.

The pivoting attachment member can be configured to pivot up and downbelow the supplemental arm.

The system can also include a longitudinally extending spring heldbetween a rear wall of the pivoting attachment member and the upwardlyextending support for defining a spring-loaded configuration of thepivoting attachment member.

The system can be in combination with a wheelchair and can include atleast one strut attached at one end to the upwardly extending supportand at an outer end portion to a tubular frame of the wheelchair.

The docking system and/or wheelchair can be in combination with theaccessory device. The accessory device can include a pole with aplurality of wheels.

The pole can be a transformable pole.

Some embodiments are directed to wheelchairs that include a wheelchairbody having a back, seat and right and left side wheels and a dockinginterface attached to the wheelchair for detachably coupling at leastone accessory device. The docking interface includes: a base attached tothe wheelchair and extending laterally between the right and left sidewheels; an upwardly extending support member attached to the base andextending upwardly therefrom; and right and left side longitudinallyextending legs extending rearward of the base and having a wheel on arespective outer end thereof for providing stability.

The wheelchair can be in combination with the accessory device. Theaccessory device can include a pole with a plurality of wheels.

The pole may optionally be a transformable pole.

Yet other embodiments are directed to wagons for pediatric clinical use.The wagons can include a wagon body having a plurality of wheels and apole docking interface for detachably coupling a pole with wheels.

The pole docking interface can include a hitch attached to a bottom ofthe wagon body with an outwardly extending end portion comprising apivoting member with a pair of longitudinally extending arms and a gapspace between the arms. The pivoting member can pivot up and down.

The wagon can further include a flat tongue residing under the pivotingmember.

The wagon can further include at least one laterally extendingattachment member extending at least partially across the gap spacebetween the arms.

The wagon hitch can include a wagon attachment member with a laterallyextending channel that receives an axle of a pair of wheels of thewagon.

The wagon attachment member can include at least one downwardlyextending channel spaced apart from the laterally extending channel thatis sized and configured to allow a fixation member to extendtherethrough to affix the attachment member to the wagon.

The wagon can include a laterally extending spring in communication withan inwardly facing end portion of the pivoting member and an adjacentend portion of the attachment member.

The wagon can further include at least one seat in the wagon body for ahuman child, and wherein the wagon includes a handle extending adistance away from the wagon body in a direction opposing the hitch.

The wagon can further include a laterally extending bar residing at oneend of the wagon body a distance above the wagon body, optionally at aheight that is between 3 feet and 4 feet tall, to allow a pediatric userto engage the laterally extending bar for pushing the wagon and/or forambulatory support.

The wagon body can have opposing front and rear ends. The wagon canfurther include at least one seat in the wagon body for a human child.The wagon can include a handle extending a distance away from the frontend of the wagon body. The pole docking interface can include aplurality of outwardly extending pole attachment members extending offthe rear end of the wagon body.

The wagon can include a pole attached to the pole docking interface. Thepole can include a plurality of legs with wheels. The hitch canreleasably engage a single one of the legs.

The wagon can include a pole attached to the pole docking interface. Thepole can include a plurality of legs with wheels. At least one leg canhave a forward end portion with a recess and a bottom surface. The armsof the hitch can surround one leg with the bottom surface of the leg onthe flat tongue of the hitch and the at least one laterally extendingattachment member can engage the recess of the leg.

The wagon can include a pole attached to the pole docking interface.

The pole can include a plurality of legs with wheels.

The pole can be a non-retractable (non-transformable) pole with wheels.

The wagon body can hold first and second seats, facing each other.

The wagon can further include at least one pad residing between thepivoting member and a stationary tongue residing under the pivotingfront member.

Still other embodiments are directed to hospital beds. The beds caninclude a docking system attached to the hospital bed. The dockingsystem includes a first arm attached to an end of the bed. The arm canpivot side-to-side relative to the end of the bed. The docking systemalso includes a bracket attached to the end of the bed at a locationresiding between 1-3 inches from the floor holding the first arm. Thefirst arm is pivotably attached to extend out from and above the bracketand is configured to pivot at least 30 degrees, side-to-side.

The hospital bed can further include a second arm pivotably attached tothe bracket, wherein the bracket is stationary and attached to an end ofthe hospital bed. The second arm and the first arm can be pivotablyattached to the bracket at a common pivot axis and/or joint. The firstarm can reside above the second arm and having a different laterallyextending length, each with an upwardly extending support. The first andsecond arms can independently pivot relative to each other about the endof the hospital bed.

The swing arm can pivot between 90-180 degrees.

The hospital bed can include a second swing arm attached to the end ofthe bed, the second arm can reside above the first arm by between about0.25-5 inches.

The second arm can be swing arm and the first and second arms can pivotindependently of each other, side-to-side, relative to the end of thebed.

The first arm can include a canister bracket.

The second arm can include a pole attachment bracket.

The first arm can be sized and configured to releasably hold an oxygencanister and the second arm can sized and configured to releasablyengage a pole with wheels.

The first arm can be shorter or longer than the second arm.

The docking system can include a second arm that can support an upwardlyextending member that can include laterally extending pole attachmentmembers that can releasably engage a pole.

The second arm can reside below and can be longer than the first arm.

The first arm can have a length measured from a pivot attachment pointon the bracket attached to the end of the hospital bed to an end portionthereof that is between 2 inches to 12 inches.

The hospital bed can include a second arm attached to a bracket held bythe end of the bed at a common pivot joint and/or axis on the bracketwith the first swing arm.

The first arm can resides a distance above the second arm. The secondarm can have a length sufficient to position an upwardly extendingmember thereof adjacent and behind a canister held by the first arm.

The first (upper) arm can have a length that is different (typicallyless) than the second (lower) arm.

The second arm can include an upwardly extending pole support memberwith a curvilinear shape so as to travels upward and laterally outwardabove the second arm.

The hospital bed can include a second arm attached to the bracket at theend of the hospital bed. The first and second arms can lock together topivot in concert and unlock to pivot independently of the other.

The hospital bed can be in combination with an oxygen canister held bythe first arm and a pole with wheels attached to the second arm.

The pole can optionally be a transformable pole.

Other embodiments are directed to hospital beds with a base arid adocking system. The docking system engages a pole, optionally atransformable pole. The docking system includes a docking base and acurvilinear upright member (optionally attached at a right or left endside of the base of the bed) with at least one pole attachment memberfacing outwardly therefrom, residing above the base of the hospital bed.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to oneembodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although notspecifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/orfeatures of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/orcombination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filedclaim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be ableto amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporateany feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in thatmanner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present inventionare explained in detail below and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a transformable pole which comprises apower strip unit and an oxygen tank holder according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are enlarged views of retracted/stowed configuration andan extended operational configuration, respectively, of thetransformable pole shown in FIG. 1A according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of transformable pole releasably holding anoxygen tank and a bed-docking system for the pole according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a side view of a pressurized tank with a bed docking systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of a pressurized tank adapter with abed docking system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a top, side perspective view of the pressurized tank adapterand bed docking system shown in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a tray table with a transformablepole, power strip unit and oxygen holder according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4A is side perspective view of a tray table and transformable pole,with the pole in a retracted configuration, and the table in a stowconfiguration, with the pole docked to a bed mount on a hospital bedaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the tray table and pole shown inFIG. 4A illustrating the table in one use configuration extendedlaterally outward away from the bed and the pole in the extendedconfiguration and undocked from the bed according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4C is a side perspective view of the tray table and pole shown inFIG. 4B, illustrating the pole in a retracted configuration and dockedto the bed mount with the tray table in an open position according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a tray table assembly that can be used withhospital beds according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the tray table assembly, shown without thetable top according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of a wagon with a wagon docking mountand an engaged pole according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a wagon forcooperating with IV poles according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a pole in a retracted (wheellifted) configuration while docked to a wheelchair docking mount of awheelchair according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a pole in a retractedconfiguration, docked to booms and/or column mounts in a hospital orclinic room according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A-9H are sequential views illustrating exemplary loading/dockingsteps of a pole according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10D are sequential views illustrating exemplaryunloading/release steps of the pole according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a pole with an IV stand wing forholding fluid bags, infusion pumps and monitors according to embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a top portion of the pole shown in FIG.11.

FIG. 13A is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a pediatricwagon with a pole interface according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the wagon with the attachment interfaceaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13C is an enlarged, top, side perspective view of the hitch/poleinterface according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13D is a side perspective view of the pole attached to the hitch ofthe wagon according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is an enlarged side perspective view of an exemplary hitchaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is an enlarged side perspective view of the hitch shown in FIG.14A illustrating the hitch in an open or “pivot-up” configurationaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14C is a partially transparent side perspective view of the hitchshown in FIG. 14A according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14D is an enlarged side perspective view of the hitch, similar tothe embodiment shown in FIG. 14A, but with a pad cooperating with thelatch and optional laterally extending tabs according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15A-15H are screen shots of a video illustrating exemplarysequences of docking/using and releasing the pole/wagon shown in FIG.13A-13D according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a rear, side perspective view of a wheelchairinterface/docking system with a releasable pole according to embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 16B is a rear, top perspective view of the interface and pole shownin FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is an enlarged side perspective view of a portion of thewheelchair docking system shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16D is a front, side perspective view of a portion of thewheelchair docking system shown in FIG. 16A with certain componentsshown in transparent view.

FIG. 16E is a side perspective view of a portion of the wheel chairdocking system shown in FIG. 16C, illustrating a pivoting position of anarm of the docking system according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16F is an enlarged side perspective view of the wheelchair dockingsystem shown in FIG. 16A illustrating push arms pivoted outward relativeto the position shown in FIG. 16A and the pole disengaged from thewheelchair docking system according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16G is an enlarged side perspective view of the wheelchair dockingsystem shown in FIG. 16A illustrating push arms pivoted downward and theholding bracket disengaged from the pole.

FIG. 16H is a side perspective view of the wheelchair docking systemdisengaged from the pole and the push arms down according to embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 17A-17E are an exemplary sequence of docking/using and releasingthe pole/wheelchair shown in FIG. 16A-16H according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of thewheelchair docking interface/system according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers refer to likeelements and different embodiments of like elements can be designatedusing a different number of superscript indicator apostrophes (e.g.,90′, 90″, 90′″).

In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may beexaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The term“Fig.” (whether in all capital letters or not) is used interchangeablywith the word “Figure” as an abbreviation thereof in the specificationand drawings. In the figures, certain layers, components or features maybe exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optionalfeatures or operations unless specified otherwise. In addition, thesequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presentedin the claims unless specifically indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “bottom”, “lower”,“above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassorientations of above, below and behind. The device may be otherwiseoriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatiallyrelative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The term “about” refers to numbers in a range of +/−20% of the notedvalue. The term “substantially” means that the configuration can varysomewhat, such as “substantially horizontal” and “substantiallyvertical” means that the member can reside at +/−15 degrees fromhorizontal or vertical, respectively.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

The terms “accessory” and “accessory devices” refer to any clinical orhospital device that may be desirable to be provided for and/or movedwith a patient including poles such as IV poles, monitor supports,tables, trays, pump supports, oxygen tank/canisters and the like.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1A illustrates a pole 10 with anonboard power strip unit 15 and tank holder 22 for a pressurized gastank 20, such as an oxygen tank 20. The pole 10 can optionally be atransformable pole. The term “transformable” when referring to someembodiments of the pole 10 means that the pole 10 can transform betweenat least two different configurations, typically including a stowedconfiguration with the wheels 11 off of/above a support floor as shownin FIG. 1B and an extended configuration with the wheels 11 on the flooras shown in FIG. 1C with the wheels 11 able to provide a weight bearingsupport for the pole 10. However, in some embodiments, the pole 10 canbe a non-transformable (i.e., non-retractable) pole so as to have astatic extended mobile configuration with its rollers/casters on thefloor.

The pole 10 can include a lift mechanism 14 held by the mast 12. Thelift mechanism 14 can slide up and down relative to a lower end portionof the pole 12. The lift mechanism 14 holds legs that are attached tothe wheels 11. The legs 13 can pivot inward and outward relative to themast 12 to be able to retract and extend the wheels 11 in the stowed andextended positions, respectively. The pole 10 can include at least onefoot lever 17 for moving between the stowed and extended positions. Asshown, the pole 10 has a manually-actuated foot lever 18 incommunication with the lift mechanism 14 for engaging an onboard (e.g.,gas spring) actuator that raises the wheels 11. The pole 10 may alsohave a second lever 17 for lowering the wheels 11. The second lever 17can manually lower the wheels from force applied to the second lever 17.In some embodiments, the wheels 11 are caster-type wheels capable offreely rotating along a leg-wheel connection. Although in thisparticular depiction there are five legs 13 with five four-inchcaster-type wheels 11, embodiments with different numbers of legs (suchas 1, 2, 3 or 6 or more) and different sized or types of wheels, orcombinations of different types or sizes, larger or smaller orcombinations of different size wheels may be used.

The lift mechanism 14 may include a gas spring as described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,918,422, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference as if recited in full herein. Alternatively, other liftmechanisms 14 including, for example, electric motor or pneumatic drivengears and/or links may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the pole 10 includes an upwardly extending mast 12that can be configured to hold the power strip unit 15 with electrical(plug-in) receptacles 15 r and an optional power cord 15 c. The powerstrip unit 15 can include an onboard surge protector. The power cord 15c can be configured as a retractable power cord in a support or may be aloose length of cable that can be held about a cord support 15 s on themast 12 and/or on the body of the power strip unit 15. The pole 10 canalso hold wings 10 w under a suspension support 10 s for suspending bagsof fluids for patient administration, such as IV fluids and the like.The wings 10 w can support patient monitors and/or other devices. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,497,407; 7,918,422; 7,735,789; and US PatentApplication Publication 2013/0181100, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.

As also shown in FIG. 1A, the power strip unit 10 can have an oxygentank holder 20 h. The oxygen tank holder 20 h can comprise oxygen tankshell 22 that can hold the oxygen tank to the pole 10. The oxygen tankshell 22 can be integral with the power strip unit 15 as shown or may bea separate component. The oxygen tank shell 22 can have a length that isat least 50% of the length of the oxygen tank 20 and can releasablyreceive a lower end of the oxygen tank 20. The power strip unit 15 canbe integrally affixed to the mast of pole 12 or may be releasablyattachable to the mast of the pole 12. The power strip unit 15 cancomprise at least one clamp 16 so as to be a clamp-on unit 15 thatallows the unit 15 to be removed for cleaning, repair or replacement,and the like. Although the power strip unit 15 is shown with fourseparate electrical receptacles, it may include a single receptacle ormore than four. Also, the power strip unit 15 can orient the receptacles15 r in different directions or the unit 15 can have at least one thatfaces a different direction than another, e.g., one that faces thefront, one that faces the back, one that faces a side or wing 10 w, andthe like. The power strip 15 can have rotatable receptacles for alteringorientation or may have a fixed receptacle orientation.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the pole 10 can be a dedicated oxygen tank holder20 h. Although shown as having the wheels 11 and legs 13, other poleconfigurations may be used not requiring a transformable poleconfiguration or using a different transformable pole configuration. Forexample, the pole 10 can comprise fewer legs 13 and wheels 11 thanshown, e.g., three or four wheels 11. The pole 10 can have smallerwheels 11 and/or casters such as one or more having a two-inch,three-inch or under four inch diameter. The pole 10 can have a differentlift mechanism 14 and different levers configurations 17, 18. The pole10, when a transformable pole, can be configured to have a smallerextended perimeter floor “footprint”.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, the pole 10 can include a plurality ofvertically spaced apart support members 23, 24 that can releasablyengage a respective oxygen tank 20. The pole 10 can attach to a hospitalbed 50 via a bed docking system 110. In some embodiments, the beddocking system 110 can include a plurality of laterally extendingsupport arms 114, 116 that can releasably engage the mast 12 of the pole10. The pole 10 can dock to the bed 50 so that the arms of the dockingsystem 114, 116 alternate with those of the pole 23, 24. The supportmembers 23, 24 face outwardly and allow a user to change out the oxygentank 20 when docked to the bed 50. The docking system 110 can include abase 112 that is secured to a base or frame 50 b of the hospital bed,typically closer to a head board or end. The base 112 can have acurvilinear upwardly extending support bracket 113 that holds the arms114, 116 so that the arms are parallel, one above another and extend outfrom an end or a side of the bed 50 a short distance so as to have acompact on-board configuration. Typically, the arms extend out from aprofile or perimeter of the bed between about 2-10 inches relative toone or more of the base 50 b, or side rail 50 r, or headboard 50 h. Auser can slide the pole to engage the arms 114,116 and lock the pole 10to the docking system 110, then raise the legs 13 to raise the wheels 11off the ground and lock the tank holder into the docking system 110,supported by the bed 50.

FIGS. 2B-2D illustrate another embodiment of a bed adaptor assembly 200with a tank holder 20 h. In this embodiment, the assembly 200 includes afirst (i.e., swing) arm 120 for holding a compressed gas tank 20. Thefirst arm 120 can rotate and/or pivot side-to-side when mounted to anend or outer perimeter of the bed 50. The first arm 120 can pivot atleast between 30-60 degrees, typically between 30-180 degrees, moretypically between about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees, and preferablyabout 180 degrees, when attached to the bed 50. The first (swing) arm120 can comprise a bed docking system 110 with a base 112 that isattached to a bottom portion and/or a base of the end of the bed 50 b.

In some embodiments, and as shown, the assembly 200 can also include asecond arm 220 for holding a pole attachment member 240 for releasablyengaging the pole 10. The second arm 220 can include at least one wheeland/or caster that can contact a floor. Where the second arm 220 isused, the first arm 120 can rotate/pivot independent of the second arm220. The first arm 120 and the second arm 220 can optionally each pivotside-to-side when docked to a bed 50, typically by between 90-180degrees. The first and second arms 120, 220 can both be attached to thebed docking system 110 with the base 112 that is attached to a bottomportion and/or a base of the bed 50 b. The first swing arm 120 cansupport the tank 20 using any suitable attachment/support members suchas, but not limited to, sleeves, rings, arms, cups, braces or other tankattachment members, shown as upper and lower attachment members 23, 24.The first arm 120 can be shorter and reside above the second arm 220.The pole 10 can support various devices such as monitors, IV bags, pumpsand the like for transport with the tank 10 when a bed 50 is moved.Thus, all pole mounted devices can be easily transported with the tank20.

The second arm 220 may not pivot relative to the first swing arm and/orthe bed 50. The second arm 220 may be a swing arm and can pivot with orindependent of the first swing arm 120.

In some embodiments, the first and second arms 120, 220 can each beattached via a single pivot axis or joint at pivot location P to abracket 112 b, which may be a planar horizontal upper surface of abracket 112 b, of the docking base 112. The bracket 112 b may extendoutwardly from the bed frame a distance to place the pivot P at adistance of 0.25-2 inches on the bracket in some embodiments. Thebracket 112 b can be attached to the end of the bed to reside at aheight that is between about 1-3 inches above the floor. A stop member129 may be held by the bracket 112 b at a location that blocks thesecond swing arm 220 from pivoting past this member. This stop member129 can also or alternatively be configured as a release member thatallows the second arm 220 to pivot a further distance (FIG. 2D, FIG.9H). For easier transport, the second arm 220 can be oriented to placethe arm to the right of left of the rear of the bed and the releasebutton 129 can prevent the arm from moving during transport.

The second arm 220 can support an upwardly extending member 122 that caninclude laterally extending pole attachment members 123, 124 that canreleasably engage pole 10.

The second arm 220 can reside below and can be longer than the first arm120. The first arm 120 can have a length measured from the pivot axisand/or attachment P to the perimeter of the lower attachment member 24that is between 2 inches to 12 inches. The first arm 120 can resideadjacent but a distance above the second arm 220, typically by about0.25 inches to about 5 inches, more typically between about 1-3 inches.

The second arm 220 can have a length sufficient to position the upwardlyextending member 122 adjacent, and in behind the tank 20 and/or aperimeter of the stroke radius of the first swing arm 120, typicallyspaced apart from the bed 50 a further distance than the tank 20. Whenthe first and second arms 120, 220 are aligned, one above the other, atleast a lower portion of the member 122 can reside between 0.25 inchesand 3 inches of the tank 20 held by the first swing arm 120.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2C and 2D, the upwardly extendingpole-support member 122 can have a curvilinear shape so as to bend orextend outward a distance relative to a lower portion attached to thesecond arm 220, as it travels up above the arm 220. In otherembodiments, the pole support member 122 can have other shapes and/orconfigurations and maybe vertically straight as shown in FIG. 2B, forexample.

The first and second arms 120, 220 can lock together to pivot inconcert. The first and second arms 120, 220 can include one or morelocks to lock into a desired orientation with respect to the bed 50 fortransport or use.

As shown in FIG. 2C and 2D, the pole support member 122 can hold abracket 126 that holds the pole support members 123, 124. The bracket126 can be slidably attached to the pole support member 122 for heightadjustment by a user or be fixedly attached at a desired height such asat an OEM facility (original equipment manufacturer).

Referring to FIG. 3, the pole 10 can be configured as a multi-purposepole 10 with a power strip unit 15, a tray table 75 and an oxygen tankholder 20 h. As described with respect to FIG. 2A, 2B above, the pole 10can have a different configuration than shown, including a differenttransformable pole configuration with different numbers ofwheels/casters, different size wheels/casters and a different liftand/or wheel-extend lever and mechanism. The pole 10 can include aplurality of vertically spaced apart support arms 23, 24 that canreleasably engage a respective oxygen tank 20. The arms 23, 24 canextend off the power strip unit 15 so that the power strip unit 15 hasintegral oxygen tank support arms 15 a, 15 b. The power strip unit 15can comprise at least one laterally extending arm or clamp 16 thatattaches to the mast 12 of the pole. The tray table 75 can includefoldable segments 751, 752. The pole 10 can attach to a hospital bed 50via a bed docking system 110 such as that shown in FIG. 2A or 2B, forexample.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the pole 10 can be docked to the hospital bed 50via the docking system 110 while the tray table 75 is in a compactstowed position with the table top surfaces 751, 752 residing adjacentand parallel to each other and extending vertically. As shown, the pole10 and table 75 may be used without the oxygen tank holder 20 h. Thepole 10 can have a pivot attachment 76 to the tray table 75. The twotray surfaces may also be pivotably attached for compact storage. A usercan configure the tray 75 to expose one tray table surface for use (withthe other held under the outer surface) or expose both surfaces. While apair of table top surface panels are shown, one or more than two panelsmay be used. One or more of the table top surface panels 751, 752 may betelescopically mounted to allow for longer/shorter use orientations (notshown). Again, as described with respect to FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 above,the pole 10 can have a different configuration than shown, including adifferent transformable pole configuration with different numbers ofwheels/casters, different size wheels/casters and a different liftand/or wheel-extend lever and mechanism.

FIG. 4B shows that the pole can be releasably attached to the dockingsystem 110 allowing the pole 10 to be slid outward away from the bed 50on extended wheels 11 with the tray table 75 opened with both tray topsurfaces 751, 752 horizontal and residing between the bed 50 and thepole 10. FIG. 4C shows the pole 10 docked to the bed docking system 110and the wheels 11 raised off the floor. The tray 75 can also be openedto expose one or both tray top surfaces when docked to the bed.

FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of a tray table 75′. In thisembodiment, the tray table 75′ has first and second tray topsurfaces/members 751, 752 that are foldable and can be supported by alow profile base 175 that can include a plurality of wheels/casters 176.The term “low profile” means that the base 175 with wheels/casters 176can have a maximum height distance “D” above the floor that is under 1inch, typically between 0.5 inches and 0.9 inches. The low profile base175 can have a vertically extending height/thickness that is between0.25 inches 1 inch. A bottom of the base 175 b can reside within 0.1inches and 0.5 inches of the floor. The centerlines of the axis ofrotation A of the wheels/casters 176 can be at a height H that is nomore than 1 inch above the floor, are is typically within about 0.25inches and 0.6 inches of the floor.

The table top 75′ can have a joint between the two table top members751, 752 and the second table top member 752 can be pivotably attachedto the vertical support member 180 at pivot 75 j. The pivot attachment75 j can reside in a slot in the vertical support member 180 to allowfor vertical height adjustment of the table top. The entire tray top,i.e., both first and second members 751, 752 in their flat (fullyextended) orientation can pivot down against the support member 180 orthe first table member can pivot up over the second table top member 75as indicated by the two arrow heads and the associated broken lines inFIG. 5A.

The tray table 75′ can optionally include a foot lever 177 incommunication with one or more wheel locks or brakes 177 b that canengage one or more of the wheels 176. The wheels 176 can each have alock or brake 177 b. Where used, a manually operated foot actuationlever 177 can engage the one or more locks or brakes 177 b.

The first table top member 751 can have a free end an optional cupholder 75 c that can extend over a user/patient in a hospital bed. Thevertical support member 180 can optionally hold storage containers 181such as bins, sleeves or bags.

The low profile base 175 can allow the tray table 75′ to be a universaltray table that can fit under most (at least 75% of hospital beds in aparticular facility), if not all, commercially available hospital bedson the market today and/or used with different hospital beds fromdifferent manufacturers.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the low profile base 175 can have first and secondlegs 1781, 1782 attached by a laterally extending spanning segment 179to provide structural support for the tray table members 751, 752. Thelegs 1781, 1782 can have a length that is about the same or greater thana length of the table top when in a fully extending (unfolded)configuration. The length can be between about 18 inches to about 4feet. The legs 1781, 1782 can be spaced apart from each other by betweenabout 2-4 feet. The legs 1781, 1782 may be curvilinear. FIG. 6Aillustrates a pole 10 cooperating with a pediatric wagon 90. The wagon90 can include a pole docking system 210 that includes at least one poleattachment member 222, shown as vertically spaced apart members 223,224. Where more than one pole attachment member 222 is used, the poleattachment members may be stationary or may rotate side to side. The atleast one pole attachment member 222, e.g., the members 223, 224 may betelescopically configured to allow for adjustment in position relativeto the wagon 90 (closer or further away).

The wagon 90 can include a child seating space 90 s which may have anintegral or attachable chair or cavity. The wagon 90 can include ahandle 90 h. The wagon 90 can have at least one front wheel 92 and leasttwo spaced apart rear wheels 92 proximate the pole docking system 210which are spaced apart a distance 90 w. A plurality of legs 13 mayextend between the rear wheels 92. Once locked to the docking system210, the legs 13 can optionally be retracted and the wheels 11 liftedoff the floor.

The wagon 90 can include a back 94 that rises above the cavity 90 c. Thewagon can be attached to hold the docking system 210. The back 94 cantaper outwardly as it rises above the cavity 90 c. The docking system210 can include a lower brace 215 that holds a curvilinear upwardlyextending bracket 216. The pole attachment member 22 can be held by thebracket 216 extending out from the back 94 of the wagon 90. The wagon 90can be provide in different colors or custom colors and/or withwhimsical decorations, logos, pictures or images to be more appealing topediatric users. As described with respect to FIGS. 2A, 3 and 4A above,the pole 10 can have a different configuration than shown and is notrequired to be a transformable pole. Where the pole is a transformablepole, it can have a different transformable pole configuration withdifferent numbers of wheels/casters, different size wheels/casters and adifferent lift and/or wheel-extend lever and mechanism.

The wagon 90 may have rails 90 r (FIG. 6B) such as side rails that canbe raised/lowered, removed or be stationary, or otherwise translatedrelative to the cavity of the wagon body. The wagon 90 may includesafety restraints such as seat or lap belts and the like.

FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of a pediatric wagon 90′. In thisembodiment, the wagon 90′ can include a handrail 190 that extends off anend portion of the wagon 90′. A patient/user can use the handrail 90 rfor support to promote ambulation/physical therapy. The patient/user canalso or alternatively ride inside the cavity 90 c of the wagon 90′. Thepole 10 may dock (e.g., clamp) to the wagon and a user/patient can pullthe pole along as he/she pushes the wagon. Alternatively, another usermay pull the pole separately as a patient/user pushes the wagon 90′. Thepole 10 may be provided with different width wings, W1, W2, as shown.

The handrail 190 can reside at a height above a patient's waist andbelow a patient's shoulders. The handrail 190 can be height adjustable.In some embodiments, the wagon can include a pair of spaced apart struts191 that extend above the wagon bed 90 c and hold the handrail 190. Thestruts 191 can include downwardly extending slots 192 that allow for thehandrail 190 to be positioned at different heights. In some embodiments,the wagon 90′ may include a plurality of handrails positioned atdifferent heights so that a user can use the handrail at the appropriateheight (not shown).

The wagon 90′ can include a bumper and/or rounded forward edge 193 toprovide a cushion against collision or contact with another object.

FIGS. 13A-13D and 15A-15H illustrate another embodiment of a wagon 90″.The wagon 90″ can include a docking system 210′ provided as a hitch 210h. While the hitch 210 h may be particularly suitable for engaging anelongate pole 10 with legs 13 over wheels 11, it may be useful to engageother accessories and/or devices, particularly moveable devices andparticularly for ambulatory uses in clinical and/or hospital settings.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13D and FIGS. 14A-14D, the hitch 210 h can haveone outwardly facing end portion forming the pole/hitch interface 210 h₁ (e.g., “latch”) and an inwardly residing end portion (FIG. 14A)defining the wagon/hitch interface 210 h ₂. The wagon 90″ can have acavity 90 c and one or more seats 90 s. The wagon 90″ can have aplurality, typically four, wheels 92. The wagon 90″ and wheels 92 maycomprise molded plastic or polymeric material. The wagon 90″ can havelaterally extending axles 192 (FIG. 13B) holding the wheels 92,typically one axle 192 for the front wheel pair (the wheel pairadjacent/facing the handle 90 h) and one axle 192 for the back wheelpair).

Although shown as four wheels 92 in FIG. 6A, 6B and 13A, more than fourwheels 92, such as six or more wheels may be used or it may be possibleto use three wheels. The wheels 92 can be of the same or different sizes(diameters and/or widths).

Referring again to FIG. 13A-13D and FIG. 14A-14D, the hitch 210 h canhave a first member 1210 that pivots down about pivot joint J to engagea recessed segment 13 r of a single leg 13 of the pole 10 and pivots upto release the leg 11. The recessed segment 13 r can be defined bytransition rearward toward the pole from a curvature of the leg 13associated with a portion of the leg that extends down about avertically extending shaft of a wheel/caster 11. The pivoting member1210 can hold at least one laterally extending attachment member 1214that can engage the recessed segment/region 13 r of the leg 13. Themembers 1214 can be laterally adjustable or be fixed in position. Wheretwo attachment members 1214 are used, the members 1214 can face eachother across the arms 1210 a and can reside spaced apart a distance(they are not required to contact each other).

The leg 13 can be a standard leg of an accessory pole, e.g., IV pole andall legs 13 may have the same configuration as shown although only oneattaches to the hitch 201 h. In some embodiments, the leg 13 forsecuring to the hitch 210 h may have a unique leading end shape from theother legs and/or may include a leg adaptor 13 a (FIG. 13D). The legadaptor 13 a can comprise an elastomeric sleeve, a molded overcoatand/or shaped feature or member for providing a desiredinterface/connection, for example.

The pole/wagon interface 210 h ₁ of the hitch 210 h can have a secondmember 1211 residing below the first member 1210 that includes a flattongue 1212. The flat tongue 1212 can be stationary and be attached to alower front end of the mounting block 1215. The tongue 1212 can resideunder the arms 1210 a of the pivoting upper member 1210 under the gapspace 1210 g extending between the arms 1210 a that can receive theforward upper end of the leg 13 therein. The tongue 1212 may occupy asub-area of the gap-space 1210 g or may extend under one or both arms1210 a, or extend a distance laterally outside of the arms 1210 a. Alower surface of a forward edge of one end of the leg 13 s of the pole10 can sit on the flat tongue 1212 and the pivoting member 1210 canpivot down to place the laterally extending attachment members (e.g.,typically pins or screws) behind a recessed region of the leg 13 r tohold the pole 10 to the wagon 90″ while allowing for ease of movement ofthe wagon and the pole 10. As shown in FIG. 15E by the associatedarrows, the wagon 90″ can be pulled and the pole 10 can follow themovement of the wagon, e.g., in concert with the wagon and closelyspaced apart from the wagon, including side-to-side, longitudinally androtationally, forward and backward in concert with the wagon.

Referring to FIG. 13B and FIG. 14A-14D, the wagon/hitch interface 201 h₂ can include a wagon attachment member 1215, which may be provided as amounting block, optionally rectangular in shape, with a laterallyextending channel 1216 that receives an axle 192 of the wagon 90″. Thewagon attachment member 1215 may also include at least one downwardlyextending channel 1218 for receiving a bolt, screw or other attachmentmember for securing the hitch member 1215 to an underside of the wagon,typically under the cavity 90 c and/or closer to the end of the wagon90″ away from the handle 90 h.

The first member 1210 and wagon attachment member 1215 can each includelaterally extending aligned channels 1230 that hold rods or pins 1231for the pivoting attachment of the two members 1210, 1215 of the pivotjoint J.

As shown in FIG. 14A-14D, the hitch 210 h can include a spring 1220 thatis in communication with an inwardly facing end portion of the pivotingmember 1210 and an outwardly facing end portion of the wagon attachmentmember 1215. Thus, the pivoting member 1210 can have a spring-loadedconfiguration so that a user can manually depress one (longitudinallyextending side) arm 1210 a of the pivoting member 1210 (typically viafoot action) to cause the pivoting member 1210 to raise up and releasethe leg 13 of the pole 10 (FIG. 15F).

Referring to FIG. 14D, the hitch 210 h can have at least one (if aplurality, they can be stacked) planar pad 1250 that is between theupper surface 1212 u of the tongue 1212 and the lower surface 1210 b ofthe front block 1210 adjacent the pivot joint J, in front of themounting block 1215. The pad 1250 can be metal and can communicate withthe spring 1220 or pivot joint J between the pivoting (accessorycoupling) front member 1210 and the wagon attachment member 1215 toprovide a downward force to aid keeping the front member 1210 (e.g.,latch or front U-shaped member) engaged with an IV stand on the tongue1212. The pad 1250 can comprise a spring material and/or configurationso that the pad acts similar to a leaf spring. The pad 1250 cancooperate with the tongue 1212 to keep the IV stand and latch 1210 fromseparating. The pad 1250 can have a relatively short length relative tothe length of the tongue 1212 and/or overlying front member 1210,typically less than 50% the length of either of those two components,such as, for example, between about 1 inch to about 3 inches long. Thepad 1250 can extend across the entire width, or at least 75% thereof, ofthe tongue 1212 and/or front block 1210.

The pad 1250 can be relatively thin, such as having a thickness ofbetween about 0.10 inches to about 0.25 inches. The pad 1250 maycomprise a metal alloy, typically an aluminum alloy. The pad materialcan comprise 6061-T6 aluminum. In some embodiments, the pad 1250 canhave a thickness between about 0.125 inches and 0.25 inches, typicallybetween about 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches. Where more than one pad1250 is used (e.g., stacked) the cumulative thickness can be between0.125 inches and 0.25 inches, typically between about 0.150 inches and0.175 inches.

The hitch 210 h may also include at least one laterally extending (footor hand) lift tab 1213 for the external wagon/accessory attachmentinterface 210 h ₁ for facilitating disengagement from the IV pole/otheraccessory. As shown, the at least one lift tab 1213 can include rightand left side tabs 1213 that extend outward a distance from the sides ofthe front member 1210, typically a distance of between about 0.25 inchesand 2 inches, more typically between about 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches,relative to a segment of the front member 1210 rearward thereof The tabs1213 can extend forward to the end of the front block on opposing sidesof the center space or may terminate to a more narrow leading end (notshown) at the outermost segment of the front member 1210.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the pole 10 can be configured to engage adocking system 310 attached to a wheel chair 150. Typically, as isconventional, the wheel chair 150 includes large rear wheels 150 w,smaller front wheels 151, a back 150 b, leg supports 152 and a seat 153.The larger rear wheel 150 w is shown without the spindles for ease ofdiscussion. The docking system 310 can include a base 315 that residesbetween, typically aligned with, the axles of the large wheels 150 w.The base 315 can include backwardly extending legs 316 that hold wheels318. The legs 316 can taper down from the base 315 to the wheels 318.The wheels 318 can extend out a distance of between 1 inch to 12 inches,typically between 2 inches and 10 inches, behind the large wheels 150 wof the wheelchair typically within a foot print or space thatcorresponds to a separation distance of the large wheels 150 w. Thewheels 11 of the pole 10 can reside between the wheels 318 of thedocking system 310 when in a stowed configuration as shown. As describedabove, the pole 10 can have a different configuration than shown. Wherethe pole 10 is a transformable pole, it can have a differenttransformable pole configuration than shown with different numbers ofwheels/casters, different size wheels/casters and a different liftand/or wheel-extend lever and mechanism.

The base 315 of wheel chair docking system base 310 can also include anupright support member 320 that holds at least one accessory (e.g.,pole) attachment member 322. The at least one attachment member 322 caninclude first and second mast attachment members 322 m that can hold avertical segment of a mast 12 or pole 10, one above the other, that faceaway from the seat 153. When docked to the docking system 310, thelegs/wheels of the pole 10 can be raised as shown.

The upright support member 320 can have a telescopic and/or slidablyadjustable configuration to allow for the pole attachment member 322(e.g., lower and upper members 323, 324), to be positioned at differentheight locations. The upright member 320 may have a curvilinearconfiguration to angle back as it rises above the base before extendingstraight up for a distance.

In some embodiments, the pole docking system 310 can include handleattachment members 325 that can be attached to handles 155 of thewheelchair 150. The handle attachment members 325 can be attached to theupright member 320 of the docking system 310.

FIG. 16A-16H illustrate another embodiment of a wheelchair dockingsystem 310′. The docking system 310′ can include a base 315′ attached tothe wheelchair 150 between the large wheels 150 w that supports anupwardly extending support member 320′. The docking system 310′ can alsoinclude at least one accessory attachment member 322′ that canreleasably engage a pole 10 or other accessory.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment member 322′ can includeat least one outwardly extending attachment member 1322 which can beprovided with first and second spaced apart outwardly extending rightand left side arms 1322 a. The arms 1322 a may be configured to pivot upand down, typically in concert, to engage and release a horizontallyextending and/or lateral segment 10 h of an accessory pole 10, forexample.

The at least one accessory attachment member 322′ can also optionallyinclude an outwardly extending mast attachment member 322 m thatreleasably (i.e., detachably) hold a vertical segment of the accessory,e.g., mast 12 or other segment of the pole 10.

The arms 1322 a can have a curved upward facing surface. The curvedsurface can have a radius of curvature corresponding to the lateral tubesegment 10 h of the pole 10. The curved surface of the arms 1322 a canextend outward from the back of the chair and reside laterally closer toor further spaced apart from the wheelchair 150 than the upperlongitudinally extending mast attachment member 322 m, shown as closerin FIG. 16A, for example. The centerlines of the curved surface s of thearms 1322 a and the mast attachment member 322 m can be offset by about1-5 inches, more typically about 1-2 inches, in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the docking system 310′ can include angled,laterally extending struts 360 that extend inward from the upwardlyextending support member 320′ with ends 362 that can attach to thewheelchair 150, typically to tubular structures 150 t (FIG. 17C) of thewheelchair frame. FIG. 18 illustrates that the struts 360 are notrequired.

The docking system 310′ can, in some embodiments, also include apivoting handle member 350 that can provide a pair of arms 350 assupplemental handles 350 h for pushing the wheelchair 150 (FIG. 17C,17D, 18, for example). The supplemental handles 350 h may includeelastomeric hand grips 350 g (FIG. 18) on an end portion thereof. Thehand grips 350 g, where used, may be provided as a sleeve or overmoldedmember/feature, for example.

The pivoting handle member 350 can have a first retracted configuration(FIG. 17A) to reside with the handle arms 350 a in a vertical orsubstantially vertical orientation (e.g., less than 20 degrees fromvertical) adjacent a rear of the wheelchair, inside the space of thelarge wheels 150 w. While shown in a (preferred) downwardly extendingorientation for the retracted position, the arms 350 a may reside in anupwardly extending orientation in the retracted position (not shown).

In the extended position (FIG. 16F, 17C, 18), the handle member 350 canbe configured so that the handle arms 350 a reside rear of the seat 150b and/or onboard handles 155 and have a length L sufficient to extend adistance rearward of an accessory/e.g., pole when the accessory isattached to the docking system 310′. The length L may be, for example,between about 6 inches to 48 inches, typically between about 12 inchesto about 36 inches, and more typically between about 18 inches and about24 inches such as about 20 inches (FIG. 16B, 16H, 17C). The arms 1322 acan extend horizontally or substantially horizontally (e.g., less than20 degrees from horizontal) in the “use” configuration.

The pivoting handle member 350 can be a “U” shaped member 350 that canpivot up and down between the home/storage configuration and theoutwardly extending configuration, see FIG. 16A and FIG. 16F, forexample.

As shown in FIG. 16H, for example, the pivoting handle member 350 canreside above the attachment member 1322 that releasably engages ahorizontally extending segment 10 h of an accessory and below the mastattachment member 322, where used. The pivoting handle member 350 canhave a gap space 350 s (FIG. 16B) with a width “W” that is sufficient toallow the accessory to reside between the arms 350 a. The width W canbe, for example, in a range of about 18 inches to about 48 inches, moretypically between about 18 inches and 32 inches, so as to be no widerthan the maximal width of the wheelchair itself and may be configured sothat when stored, the arms 350 a are inside a boundary of and adjacentthe respective wheelchair wheels 150 w.

Referring to FIG. 16C, 16D and 16E, for example, the pivoting attachmentmember 1322 can detachable engage the horizontal segment(s) of anaccessory in curved upper channels 1322 c. The member 1322 can pivotdown (FIG. 16E) to disengage or release the accessory 10 h and pivot upto trap right and left side horizontal segments of the accessory,typically below the key 10 k of the mast holding segment 322 m. FIG. 16Fillustrates that the pivoting attachment member 1322 can be attached tothe upwardly extending support via a pivoting joint with a spring 1324for a spring-loaded attachment configuration to provide a secure, snugattachment to the accessory. The spring 1324 can be trapped between aback wall 1322 w of the pivoting attachment member and a channel 372 ina block 370 attached to the upwardly extending member 320′. However,other attachment configurations may be used.

As shown, for example in FIG. 17D by the appended arrows, a user canreadily push and pull the wheelchair 150 with the accessory pushed andpulled in concert so as to follow the movement of the wheelchair 150,e.g., in concert with and closely spaced apart from the wheelchair,including side-to-side, longitudinally and rotationally, forward andbackward in concert with the wheelchair using the handles 350 h.

It is also contemplated that walkers used for patient ambulatorystabilization when moving can include a docking system similar to thatdescribed above for the wheelchair, wagon or canister that releasablyengages a pole 10 or other accessory (not shown).

FIG. 8 illustrates a pole 10 that can provide dock to a tower orvertical boom 400 of a medical room, such as a hospital room, a surgicalroom, a diagnostic room with diagnostic equipment such as CT or X-rayequipment 401. The boom or tower 400 can include at least one poleattachment member 422. The pole 10 can include ends of the poleattachment member 422. The attachment member 422 can remain on the toweror boom 400 or move with the pole 10 when disengaged and the wheels 11supporting the pole. Where more than one pole attachment member is sued,e.g., members 423, 424, one can remain on the tower or boom 400 andanother can travel with the pole 10. The pole 10 can have a smallerdiameter attachment member relative to the tower or boom 400. Theattachments 422 can allow the pole 10 to pivot or rotate relative to thetower or boom 400 and may also optionally telescope or extend to allowfor lateral spacing adjustment which may allow for better positioning ofcertain accessories relative to a patient, e.g., an oxygen tank 20, forexample. As described above, the pole 10 can have a differentconfiguration than shown, including a different transformable poleconfiguration with different numbers of wheels/casters, different sizewheels/casters and a different lift and/or wheel-extend lever andmechanism.

In some embodiments, the pole 10 of whatever use or uses including thosedescribed hereinabove, can be configured to be safely used in an MRIsuite including in a magnetic field of an MRI Scanner. Thus, the pole 10can be configured with non-ferromagnetic materials and components.

FIGS. 9A-9H illustrate a pole-bed docking configuration 300 similar tothe second arm 220 discussed above with respect to the bed adapterassembly 200 for the tank 20. The pole 10 can include acircumferentially extending key 10 k that aligns with a holding bracket124. FIGS. 9A-9H illustrate serial operations/actions that can dock thepole to the bed, i.e., moving pole 10 into loading position adjacent thebed, aligning the pole, then pushing the pole 10 into the bed mount“clicking” attachment (FIGS. 9A-9C). Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, lift theleg release 18 safety cover, typically with the top of the foot, thenpushing down on the leg release pedal under the safety cover (FIG. 9E).This action can only occur after the pole has been clicked/locked intoposition and preferably with at least one hand holding the pole forstability. As the legs release, the pole 10 will automatically lock intothe bed mount (FIG. 9F) and the legs can then be fully retracted andlocked (FIG. 9G) and a user can move the stand side to side via a swingarm 220 behind the bed while off the floor (FIG. 9G). The pivotjoint/arm 129/220 can include a physical release 129 r accessible by auser (FIG. 9H). For easier transport, the bed mount/docking system 300can be posited to either side of the bed, allowing the lock associatedwith the release button to prevent the bed mount from rotating duringtransport of the bed. In this embodiment, the additional swing arm 120is not required. FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate exemplary unloading operationsthat can be used to disconnect the pole from the pole-bed docking system300. Typically, the swing arm 220 is placed in a release position at thefully extended (straight out) position (FIG. 10A), and force is appliedto the down pedal (FIG. 10B) toward the ground until the legsautomatically lock out and stay in the extended position, then the polecan be removed from the bed mount (FIG. 10C). The pole is then free andthe bed docking system can be rotated to the side/transport positionuntil further docking of the pole or another pole is desired.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an exemplary pole 10 with a knob 10 i foradjusting a vertical height of a fluid bag halo 10 s.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. Thus, the foregoing is illustrative of thepresent invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof.Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have beendescribed, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thisinvention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this invention. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present inventionand is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as wellas other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope ofthe invention.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim support, any dependent claim which follows from anindependent claim should be taken as alternatively written in a multipledependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedentsreferenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format isan accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim dependingdirectly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending fromall previous claims).

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking system for a mobile patient supportapparatus comprising: a bracket adapted to be coupled to a side or endof the mobile patient support apparatus at a location above a floor; afirst arm pivotably coupled to the bracket and extending outward fromthe mobile patient support apparatus, wherein the first arm isconfigured to pivot at least thirty degrees relative to the mobilepatient support apparatus about a substantially vertical pivot axis; asecond arm pivotably coupled to the bracket and extending outward fromthe mobile patient support apparatus; and an upright member attached tothe second arm, the upright member comprising a pole bracket forreleasably engaging a pole of a medical accessory device.
 2. The dockingsystem of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms have differentlengths, and wherein the first and second arms are adapted to pivotindependently of each other.
 3. The docking system of claim 1 whereinthe second arm is configured to pivot about the substantially verticalpivot axis.
 4. The docking system of claim 2 wherein the first arm isconfigured to pivot in a range of 90 to 180 degrees.
 5. The dockingsystem of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are parallel andhorizontally oriented, and wherein the first and second arms arevertically spaced apart a distance of 0.25 to 0.5 inches.
 6. The dockingsystem of claim 1 wherein the second arm is longer than the first arm.7. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the first arm includes acanister bracket attached thereto, the canister bracket adapted toreleasably support an oxygen canister.
 8. The docking system of claim 7wherein the second arm has a length sufficient to allow the uprightmember to be positioned adjacent to, and behind, an oxygen canistersupported in the canister bracket.
 9. The docking system of claim 1wherein the upright member has a curvilinear shape configured toposition the pole bracket outward from the mobile patient supportapparatus a greater distance than a free end of the second arm.
 10. Thedocking system of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms areconfigured to lock together, to pivot in concert, and to pivotindependently.
 11. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the medicalaccessory device is one of an IV stand, a tray table, and a monitorsupport.
 12. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the upright memberhas a curvilinear shape with a first vertical length that merges into asecond angled length that merges into a third vertical length, andwherein the pole bracket is on the third vertical length.
 13. A wagonfor pediatric clinical use, the wagon comprising: a wagon body having aplurality of wheels; and a pole docking interface adapted to attach tothe wagon body, the pole docking interface adapted to releasably coupleto a pole of a wheeled medical accessory device.
 14. The wagon of claim13 wherein the pole docking interface includes a hitch attached to abottom of the wagon body with an outwardly extending end portioncomprising a pivoting member with a pair of longitudinally extendingarms and a gap space between the arms, wherein the pivoting member canpivot up and down.
 15. The wagon of claim 14 further comprising a flattongue residing under the pivoting member.
 16. The wagon of claim 15further comprising a laterally extending attachment member extending atleast partially across the gap space between the arms.
 17. The wagon ofclaim 16 wherein the hitch includes a wagon attachment member with alaterally extending channel that receives an axle of a pair of wheels ofthe wagon.
 18. The wagon of claim 17 wherein the attachment memberfurther comprises at least one downwardly extending channel spaced apartfrom the laterally extending channel that is sized and configured toallow a fixation member to extend therethrough to affix the attachmentmember to the wagon.
 19. The wagon of claim 17 further comprising alaterally extending spring in communication with an inwardly facing endportion of the pivoting member and an adjacent end portion of theattachment member.
 20. The wagon of claim 14 further comprising at leastone seat in the wagon body for a human child, and wherein the wagonincludes a handle extending a distance away from the wagon body in adirection opposing the hitch.
 21. The wagon of claim 14 wherein thewheeled medical accessory device comprises a plurality of legs withwheels, and wherein the hitch releasably engages a single one of thewheels.